Page 50 of Loving an Earl
“Please have a seat,” Lilly said, indicating the chair facing her.
After sitting down, he said, “Clouds are coming in. I think it’s going to rain soon.”
Lilly’s lips curved up into a smile. Perhaps someday soon, another drawing room topic would replace the weather. It was so silly and tedious it actually amused her. “May I pour you tea? Or would you prefer brandy?”
He met her with a wide smile. “You know me so well already, Lady Langford. Brandy, please, if it’s no bother.”
“No bother at all.” She made her way to the sideboard and splashed the amber liquid from the decanter into a cut crystal glass, filling it one-third of the way. She made her way to him and held out the glass.
“Thank you. You are most kind.”
Lilly perched herself on the edge of the settee and poured tea for both her and Emmeline, who looked sad and lost in thought. Pretending to sip her tea, Lilly studied Redford over the rim of her teacup. He was handsome, well-dressed, and had impeccable manners. He had a pleasant personality and always treated her with kindness. His strange eyes were something she would have to get used to, though. They were such an unusual light shade of blue, which made it hard for her to get a sense of what he was feeling. She shook herself mentally. She was being silly picking on his eyes when the rest of him appeared nearly perfect.
After half an hour of light conversation, Redford stood to take his leave. “I’m traveling to my country estate tomorrow. I could be gone several weeks. When I return, I hope we can pick up where we are today.”
“Yes. Of course,” Lilly said.
“I will send word when am back in town. Good day, ladies.” He bowed and exited the room.
Lilly found herself sinking into the settee once he’d exited the room and sighing loudly. “What will I do while he is gone? It’s not going to solve how I feel about him if I can’t see him.”
“You can take all the time you need to develop feelings for Redford. You are in control this time. You choose who and when you marry. You are so lucky in that respect, as am I.”
“You are correct. Perhaps my heart will grow fonder for Redford during his absence.”
Chapter Nineteen
Emmeline, Lilly, andAunt Vivian visited the widow Rutherford after breakfast the following day. The drawing room was full of people paying their respects. Lilly’s throat scorched in pain as she remembered the days after Henry’s death and how an endless stream of people from the village came by with their condolences. She’d never felt so alone in those days, even though she was surrounded by people. Looking at Letitia, her face pale, her eyes swollen, no doubt from crying and lack of sleep, Lilly wished she could take all her anguish and pain from her loss away. However she knew from experience it would take a long time before she felt even half herself again. Fortunately for her, she had a baby boy to give her love to and to occupy her time.
When they returned home several hours later, Harrison greeted them at the door.
“The doctor is here, Lady Langford. He asked if you would come to the earl’s chamber when you returned.”
Lilly’s stomach plummeted. “Is the earl feeling worse?”
Harrison looked concerned. “Best to speak to the doctor.”
Lilly removed her pelisse and bonnet and handed them to the butler. Ignoring Aunt Vivian and Emmeline’s worried looks, she picked up her skirts and hurried up the stairs, a knot of worry eating at her insides. The door to Langford’s room was slightly ajar, and before she entered, she listened and peered through the opening. Langford seemed to be moaning while the doctor was trying to soothe him with words and his hands on his chest.
“What has happened to Lord Langford?” Lilly demanded as she entered the room, making eye contact with a troubled-looking Mrs. Lewis and Mullens hovering to one side as she made her way directly to his bedside. She was afraid to look too closely at Langford. Afraid of what she would see.
“He has developed a fever, Lady Langford. His leg is infected. I removed the splint and stitches, drained the puss, and cleaned and rebandaged the wound. His leg is swollen, hard, and hot to the touch, which is not ideal. I will come back daily to monitor his progress. Meanwhile, the best thing for him is to sleep so his body can fight off the infection. He must get his dose of laudanum every four hours. I gave the cook a recipe for a tea that he must drink every four hours as well. You must force it down his throat if he won’t take it willingly—it should help fight the fever. And I mixed up a poultice for his wound that I will replace daily.”
“Is there a risk to his leg?”
“Yes. If the infection spreads throughout his entire leg, I fear it will need to be amputated in order to save his life.”
By then, Emmeline and Aunt Vivian had joined Lilly in Langford’s room, worried expressions on their faces.
When the doctor turned to them, he tried to look optimistic. “Let us pray it doesn’t come to that. He is young and strong, and I believe he can fight this. Meanwhile, I would prefer someone stay with him at all times.”
“He will never be alone,” Vivian said before anyone could speak.
“I will be back in the morning unless I receive word he’s taken a turn for the worse.”
Five sets of eyes followed the doctor as he left the room. Once the doctor left, the same sets of eyes made their way to Langford. “I’ll stay with him now,” Lilly said as she stood beside him, watching his body tremble with chills and listening to the moans escaping his lips.
“I will return in an hour, my lady,” Mullens said, his face drawn and pale.
